More than 15 restaurants and other local bakers and caterers will once again be a part of Ironton aLive’s second annual Taste of Ironton event Saturday, June 25 at the Ironton Farmers Market, offering some of their favorite items.

“The participating restaurants, bakers, caterers and other folks are excited about the Taste 2.0,” Steve Call, one of the organizers of the event with Ironton aLive, said.

He added that the layout of the event this year was going to be different to hopefully reduce congestion.

“The vendors will have standalone booths along the exterior of the parking lot,” he said. “The dining area will be in the middle.”

An extra hour of time was added to the event this year, running from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. or until vendors sell out, which happened last year.

The event is free, however, tickets are needed to taste food items.

“We’re hoping pre-sales will be higher this year,” Call said. “This would eliminate another line that diners would have to stand in.”

Ticket booklets are available in advance at Unger’s Shoes and the Printing Express for $10 (10 $1 coupons) and also include a free drink ticket when purchased before the day of the event.

Participating in this year’s Taste are Buffalo Wild Wings, Tipton’s, the End Zone, the Depot, Holy Smokes BBQ, Frog Town, Ohio University Southern’s Southernmost Café, Peddler’s, Catering by Joy, Sta-Tan, Frisch’s Big Boy, McDonald’s, Transit Café, Marco’s Pizza, Coal Grove Giovanni’s, Spice of Life, Little Caesar’s and Toro Loco.

“Jenny Mays is the chairperson for this Ironton aLive event and deserves to be recognized for her efforts,” Call said. “We also want to thank the local businesses for their support.”